On January 5, a transport strike was called to protest opposition to a 20% increase in bus fares.

On January 9, the armed forces overthrew President General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara in a bloodless coup and established a military junta presided over by Rear Admiral Alfredo Poveda Burbano. The junta restored the 1945 constitution and promised an elected civilian government within two years.

The junta that deposed President Rodriguez included (left to right) General Guillermo Durán, Rear Admiral Alfredo Povena Burbano, and General Luis Leoro.

The police shooting of a 14-year-old student in Guayaquil on June 15 prompted a week of riots that culminated in a two-day strike by high school students on June 21.

Coffee and banana workers went on strike on June 20, and heavy transport workers struck June 21 to 25. A one-day strike by policemen in Quito on July 15 resulted in the arrest of 13 senior police officers on July 17.

On August 12, the government arrested more than 50 Catholic priests and laymen, including 37 foreigners, meeting in Rio Bamba at the invitation of the local bishop. The government accused the conferees of circulating "subversive documents." All of the arrested clerics were deported on August 14.

See Also

In the Year 1976

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This page was last updated on January 14, 2019.